At the Federal Academy of Sciences, due to the students' limited time, everyone only had a packet of nutrient fluid for lunch before continuing with the tests.
It was only then that Huang Yan and the other three learned the entire building they were in, except for the meeting room on the eleventh floor, was used for testing.
Dean Xue Jie had said they needed the most detailed data, but at first, none of them knew what that meant. It wasn’t until they were released at six in the evening and sat in the academy’s cafeteria, completely drained, that they understood.
“The most detailed data” meant pushing their physical limits to the absolute max…
Logically, Huang Yan should have been better off, but since his spiritual power had been confirmed as SS-level, his testing intensity was higher than the other three’s.
Moreover, to ensure accuracy, many measurements had to be taken three or more times. In the end, he ended up the worst off—even the yellow hair on his head had drooped, making him look listless.
A kind staff member from the academy helped bring the prepared meals to their table.
“You’ve worked hard this afternoon. Eat well—if it’s not enough, you can get more!”
“Thank you, but we can’t eat right now.”
Elizabeth’s voice was weak and exhausted.
She shouldn’t have mocked Wu Fangyu—turns out, extreme physical training really does make you see your ancestors…
Her test intensity wasn’t as high as Huang Yan’s, but it was still far above an ordinary S-level’s. The only comfort was that Hirano Yuxiang was enduring it with them, and she finally got to see him completely wiped out. But right now, no one had the energy to care about anyone else. Just staying upright in her chair was the limit of what she could manage.
Seeing this, the staff member advised,
“You still need to eat. Your bodies’ nighttime data also requires precise measurement, and eating properly can help improve your mood.
I noticed you all liked to eat during the competition—that’s a good habit.
Oh, right! To get the most accurate data, please avoid using the treatment pod for the next few days…”
No one had the energy to listen to the rest. The moment they heard there would be more tests at night, their minds went blank.
He Siyu spent a full five minutes mentally preparing herself before letting out a long sigh and trying to pick up her chopsticks.
At this point, eating to replenish herself was necessary. But she quickly realized her right hand was shaking so badly she couldn’t get the food into her mouth.
Elizabeth was on the verge of tears. This half-day’s exercise was equivalent to two or three days of her usual training! Her father never told her that leveling up spiritual power came at such a high cost…
“Ha.”
When you’re speechless, sometimes all you can do is laugh. Still, this wasn’t entirely bad—before, only he had to endure long, grueling training sessions; now, dozens of people were suffering with him.
Huang Yan skillfully pulled his tray closer, lowered his head until his mouth was at the edge of it, and used his chopsticks to shovel rice into his mouth.
The staff member nodded approvingly. This young man had experience.
The other three watched and mimicked Huang Yan’s method of eating. Hirano Yuxiang sighed and eventually joined in.
The Federal Academy of Sciences’ meals followed the principles of absolute science, precision, and nutrition.
The cooking was simple, with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, and the colors were vibrant. The only flaw—too little meat and no flavor.
It might have been perfect for the staff who worked there, but for eighteen-year-old military cadets who had been drained all day, it was far too bland.
Normally, each of them could down two or three large bowls of rice. Here, they couldn’t even finish one plate before losing their appetite.
Their stomachs were still empty, but both their eyes and mouths seemed to refuse to keep working. Drinking nutrient fluid felt unsatisfying, as if something was missing.
Elizabeth pouted, pushing a few pieces of cabbage around her plate, unwilling to pick them up.
“At least put some salt in it? I sweated so much…”
“I guess they expect the nutrient fluid to cover everything,”
Hirano Yuxiang said, resigned, opening a pack of nutrient fluid and slowly sipping it.
He suddenly missed Wu Fangyu. If he were here, at least there’d be enough instant noodles.
They hadn’t seen any stores on the way in this morning, and if the next two days had this much activity, they probably wouldn’t have the time or energy to go shopping…
He Siyu didn’t say a word, but her expression carried a hint of resentment. This meal was even less satisfying than breakfast.
Huang Yan looked around, sighed, and began pulling out items his teammates had packed for him from his spatial button.
“Here, this is chili sauce from Valk Taylor’s mom. It should work mixed with rice. And there’s the Jin family’s secret pickled cucumbers…”
When Elizabeth saw the bright red chili sauce and small cucumbers placed in front of her, she almost drooled!
Huang Yan kept digging through his stash.
Ma Jie had just stuffed everything into his hands earlier. Back then, he was so pissed off he hadn’t bothered to look carefully before shoving it all into his spatial button.
Bread, sausages, tea eggs, sushi… How did pickled vegetables and fruit get in there?
Wait—did they actually pack salted fish?!
He Siyu stared as the empty space on the table gradually filled up, her mouth hanging open in shock.
When it came to being prepared, the Kirin team really had experience… Did they somehow know what the academy’s meals would be like?
On the other side, Huang Yan held a bag of colorful bell peppers, frowning in confusion. He took a photo with his optical brain and sent it to the group chat named “The Heart’s Great Troubles,”
“Why did you pack these?”
Not long after the message was sent, Jian Jingyu replied,
“Ma Jie ordered two big boxes of bell peppers online. She said you can eat them raw or stir-fry them for vitamins!”
Soon after, Zhang Laila added below,
“They taste fine. No idea if they actually work, since we drink nutrient fluid with every meal… Sir Huang, are you done with your tests? How’d it go today? Have you eaten anything yet?”
Huang Yan took another photo and sent it to his teammates.
“Eating now. Having a little extra with what you guys packed for me.”
Wang Tianwei saw the food on their plates and burst out laughing.
“Hahahaha! I knew it! What’s so great about those green, boring dishes? See, I had foresight!”
After chatting with his teammates for a bit, Huang Yan put down his optical brain and looked up again.
He Siyu and Elizabeth were both holding steamed buns spread with chili sauce in one hand and munching on bell peppers with the other.
“Crunchy and juicy, not bad.”
“Where did Ma Jie buy these? Have her send me the link!”
Meanwhile, the normally reserved Valk Taylor commander skillfully split his steamed bun in half, spread a layer of chili sauce, and tucked a tea egg inside. He took a big bite, then followed it with a small cucumber.
“Mm— does Jin, uh, Jian Jingyu’s mother ever consider opening an online store? I’d be willing to invest…”
Huang Yan glanced at the chili sauce, already a third gone, then at the single prepared bun sitting on his plate…
Well, at least you guys have some conscience.
